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Interesting indeed, the tale of the tail. According to this article on PetPlace.com, the muscles involved in a cat's tail motion are voluntary (also called "skeletal"), meaning they can be controlled by thought. Involuntary muscles are "controlled by the nervous system and cannot be moved at will." The tail acts as "an extension of (a cat's) thoughts, an indicator of its mood, and as a warning of intention." Thrashing or swishing might
indicate agitation and an impending scratch on your arm. But they can also signal feelings of delight while being groomed. If a cat sticks its tail straight up in the air, it might be inviting you to commence worshiping in the form of petting. A wagging tail on a sleepy cat usually indicates a content but still-alert state. Then there's the upright "bottle-brush tail," in which the appendage assumes the look of a fat caterpillar experiencing a bad hair day. This means the feline feels threatened and is ready to defend itself. Check out this chart for the lowdown on even more emotions that nature's little manic-depressive exhibits. Another voluntary function of a cat's
tail is to lend critical assistance in making those perfect four-paw landings after a fall. One thing's for sure: Scratching the sofa, spraying the curtains, and knocking over that newly purchased commemorative plate are all voluntary--and delighted in. Meow.
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